In a fast-paced world where stressors abound and the quest for balance often feels like a distant dream, Mandi Freger emerges as a beacon of hope. Her journey is one of relentless dedication to aiding others in their pursuit of emotional resilience and self-discovery. Through her innovative counseling techniques and transformative consultations, Mandi has touched the lives of countless individuals, empowering them to unravel their potential and conquer the challenges that come their way. Join Mystsic Mag as we delve into the realm of Mandi Freger’s expertise – an exploration of her methodologies, her insights, and the profound impact she continues to make. In this article, we will unravel the layers of Mandi’s approach, shedding light on how her guidance has become a transformative force for those in need. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, a path through emotional turbulence, or a way to optimize your well-being, Mandi Freger’s wisdom is a compass that can steer you toward a brighter and more fulfilling tomorrow.
As a Professional Counselor and Consultant, what led you to pursue this career path, and what aspects of your work do you find most fulfilling?
This wasn’t the career I thought I would end up in at all. It happened through a series of events in my life, leading me to a job with a man who had been my mentor for a long time in my career. He introduced me to energy psychology, and what I initially considered just a job eventually became my career due to his significant influence in the field. Many years ago, I started using energy psychology techniques, learning from him and being exposed to the field’s leaders at that time. Considering my young age, it was quite extraordinary to have such exposure. I feel very fortunate for that experience, which motivated me to stay in the counseling field.
My mentor, a licensed psychologist, played a crucial role, and I wasn’t certain about my career path initially, but I have remained in this profession ever since. Over the years, I have worked in various roles, including director, counselor, and supervisor, helping children and adults with mental health issues. The energy psychology aspect was what truly motivated me to continue and stay committed to this field, both initially and in the long run.
And when we talk about your approach to counseling and consulting, can you share with us maybe some key principles or methodologies that guide your practice?
Yes, one size does not fit all for every person, and I believe it can be challenging, especially for younger therapists who often lack comprehensive training in various modalities right after school. They may end up picking one approach and sticking to it in an attempt to master it. However, what I’m trying to emphasize is that a singular approach may not be suitable for everyone, and not everyone needs or wants advice. Therapists can sometimes get stuck in their comfort zones and treat all clients the same way.
Instead, I prefer a different approach based on my experience. I like to work closely with each individual to understand their specific needs. The buzzword nowadays is “holistic,” and that’s precisely the perspective I aim for—an individualized approach. I prefer having a broad knowledge of various therapeutic methods, allowing me to tailor a unique treatment plan for each person. This way, I don’t have to constantly research different theories but can intuitively design a package that suits their requirements.
Consequently, each therapy session may vary depending on the person’s needs on that particular day. I believe these principles are fundamental in counseling, although they might seem straightforward and common sense. It’s easy for us as counselors to get overwhelmed or lose focus due to personal issues or stress levels. However, maintaining these key tenets and our own self-care helps us better serve our clients.
Another important aspect that I want to highlight is the idea of being present, another buzzword in today’s society. However, being present for extended periods during therapy sessions can be challenging for both therapists and clients. To ensure I can truly focus on what the person is saying, I prioritize my own self-care. Taking time to shut everything off allows me to be fully engaged with my clients. It’s quite complicated how detailed any person’s life experiences can be , and I often surprise my clients by recalling their information without referring back to my notes. This level of attentiveness is meaningful for clients as they desire a therapist who knows and understands them, in such an intimate relationship. .
Staying present not only aids memory retention but also helps me process and think about the next steps without being emotionally attached. I don’t get overwhelmed with thoughts like, “What should I do now?” or “What’s the best course of action?” Instead, I maintain a neutral approach, focusing on the facts of the therapeutic process for that individual at that moment and deciding the appropriate direction to take next.
Despite sounding like common sense, staying present can be challenging, particularly when our outside lives are chaotic. Therefore, self-care is crucial for me. Just as I advise my clients on its importance, I also practice it myself. Being present and individualizing the therapy approach are keys to providing holistic treatment. In this regard, I place great emphasis on my energy psychology techniques, which has been instrumental in my practice.
I believe we should avoid getting locked into using only one therapeutic approach. Energy psychology techniques, for instance, encompass a wide range of modalities, all centered around the mind-body connection. When helping someone overcome struggles and find resolution, we might employ various tools to achieve the desired outcome. However, the ultimate gauge of progress, healing, or feeling better lies in how the person experiences these changes in their body. Our goal in each session is to reduce or eliminate disturbances felt in the body attached to a stressor.
My background in behavioral therapy becomes relevant when it comes to measuring progress and adhering to a goal-directed approach. While I appreciate following the client’s lead, it’s equally crucial to have specific goals in mind and stay on track. Finding the right balance between guiding them towards their needs while maintaining goal direction is an art that takes time to master. There are instances when clients may not be sure where to go next, and that’s absolutely okay. Being adaptable and keeping the therapeutic process goal-oriented brings a sense of achievement for the individuals I work with. They can reflect on the progress made and have tangible evidence of their growth as they tick off the items on their checklist of accomplishments.
What type of services do you offer?
I am based in Pennsylvania and hold licenses as a counselor and behavior specialist in the state. Therefore, I am qualified to provide counseling and behavior services to individuals in Pennsylvania. However, my consulting services extend beyond state borders and even beyond the country. I have found that many people seek my assistance, particularly concerning issues related to autism spectrum disorder. My expertise lies in this specific diagnosis, and given the abundance of information available, families often have many resources at their disposal but struggle to determine what is most suitable for their situation. They may not know whom to approach or how to navigate through these resources effectively.
As a consultant, a significant aspect of my practice involves helping people navigate the available services in their area, even if I am not personally familiar with all of them. Evaluating their options and guiding them through the process is a vital part of my role. This is a highly specialized niche since there are so many types of resources and at the same time potentially limited availability. Additionally, I often work with parents to help them manage their stress levels. As part of this process, I teach them energy psychology techniques so they can better cope with the challenges of supporting their child’s needs. This aspect plays a role in my consulting practice, offering a unique perspective to my clients.
In addition to my work with individuals seeking counseling services, I also specialize in peak performance and work with athletes and professionals from various fields. My services are open to anyone who wishes to enhance their abilities and reach their highest potential. Sometimes, there’s a misconception that therapy is only for those who are struggling and trying to get out of a difficult situation. However, self-care and achieving personal goals are essential aspects of therapy as well.
When it comes to athletes, I often find that they can benefit from fine-tuning their performance. Sometimes, life events can cause stress and interfere with their sports, and they need guidance on how to navigate these challenges and incorporate them into their training. In my consulting work with athletes, I teach them energy psychology techniques and behavioral techniques that they can use on their own. These techniques are particularly effective for peak performance because they empower athletes to understand their needs, apply the tools at the right times, and develop lifelong skills to enhance their performance.
As a consultant, my focus is on teaching individuals how to use these techniques for themselves effectively. This enables them to quickly grasp what they need, when they need it, and how to use these tools to overcome obstacles and excel in their respective fields. Ultimately, my goal is to help them become the best versions of themselves and achieve success in their endeavors.
When discussing energy psychology techniques , how would you explain it to someone who has never heard about it before?
Absolutely. Energy psychology techniques encompass various tools working with the mind and body. When we go through challenging experiences, we often feel sensations in our body. For example, stress might lead to a feeling of pressure in our chest or butterflies in our stomach when facing public speaking. This is where energy psychology comes in because it focuses on the body’s role in dealing with disturbances and then the cognitive and emotional shifts happens.
The body plays a crucial part in identifying if an issue is truly resolved The key is to continually return to the body to reassess whether the disturbance has been resolved. We check if the physical sensations, such as stomach fluttering, have subsided, indicating a calmer and more neutral state.
Energy psychology techniques encompass a variety of tools and methods, all of which are centered around the mind-body connection. These techniques aim to ensure that the body releases, heals, or resolves the disturbance it experienced. I should clarify that I use the term “energy psychology techniques” because I am not a licensed psychologist. There’s a common assumption that energy psychology practitioners must be licensed psychologists, which is why I prefer this terminology to avoid confusion.
In your experience, what are some of the most common challenges individuals face when seeking counseling or consulting services, and how do you help them overcome these obstacles?
I believe I previously mentioned this when COVID started, but it remains prevalent in American society—the relentless pace of life. We place numerous demands on ourselves, trying to accomplish so much in a single day. Often, people resort to excessive caffeine consumption and other unhealthy habits to keep up with this fast-paced lifestyle. It seems to be prevalent in America, and it serves as a foundation for other stress factors in people’s lives.
This constant rush can lead to more severe issues, such as clinical anxiety, clinical depression, or even traumatic incidents. Events that might not have been perceived as a traumatic incident under normal circumstances may become overwhelming due to heightened stress levels. Our brains tend to work on overdrive, as seen from the perspective of energy psychology. This constant pressure taxes our primal brain, which instinctively aims to keep us safe by responding to threats or dangers. However, this mechanism wasn’t designed to operate continuously; it was meant for short bursts during moments of serious threat..
It is evident that the fast-paced, relentless nature of our lives, coupled with environmental factors, can have detrimental effects on our brains and bodies. We are changing ourselves to adapt to this lifestyle, but it can take a toll on our overall well-being.
When introducing energy psychology techniques, one of the primary pieces of advice I offer is to reevaluate schedules and commitments. Learning to say no and freeing up time for self-care and decompression is crucial. Often, this fast-paced lifestyle leads to sleep challenges, erratic eating habits, and over-reliance on caffeine, creating a vicious cycle that affects general wellness.
Regarding specialized categories, treating autism spectrum disorder is a very specific and challenging area, particularly in an outpatient setting. However, my experience working with kids and young individuals in various settings has allowed me to effectively treat this disorder in an outpatient manner. I can streamline the process to focus on stress reduction and behavior modification, helping individuals and their families cope with the challenges they face.
Career changes have been a significant area of contemplation for many individuals since the onset of COVID. People have been reevaluating their general happiness and the overall meaning and purpose of life. This period of reflection has been cathartic for many, prompting questions like, “Should I continue in a job that merely feels like a job, or should I pursue something more fulfilling?”
One aspect that people sometimes find challenging to accept is that purpose doesn’t have to be grand or world-changing. It can be found in small, everyday things and how one impacts others. Even within their existing work, individuals can discover meaning. For instance, those in service jobs may sometimes encounter challenging customers and wonder about the significance of their role. But they contribute to people’s daily routines, like someone at the grocery stores who helps others get their much-needed items. . If they weren’t there, many would miss them dearly. This sentiment is also evident in the retail, hotel, and food industries, where there’s high turnover rates, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning and purpose in one’s current lifestyle.
Understanding and appreciating the value of small contributions can lead to a sense of fulfillment and purpose in daily life. It’s essential to recognize the impact one has on others and find meaning in the existing work, regardless of the field or job position.
